Establish specialised healthcare degree programmes, Alausa urges varsities

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, has urged vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities to introduce degree programmes in Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Psychology and Medical Social Work to address manpower shortages and expand employment opportunities for graduates.

Alausa also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing autism centres across the six geopolitical zones to improve access to specialised diagnosis, treatment and support services for persons on the autism spectrum and their families.

The minister, according to a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, called on university administrators to align their academic programmes with Nigeria’s growing demand for specialised healthcare and social services.

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He said the proposed programmes would strengthen the country’s capacity to train qualified professionals, bridge existing gaps in specialist care and reduce dependence on external expertise.

The planned autism centres are expected to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services, promote research and serve as regional support hubs for families, healthcare professionals and educational institutions.

Alausa said the initiatives reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to developing local capacity and improving support for persons with autism and other developmental conditions.

He urged vice-chancellors to work closely with the chairman of the Federal Government’s Ministerial Committee on the Advancement of Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Dr Victoria Amu, as well as relevant regulatory agencies and professional bodies, to facilitate the introduction of the programmes.

The minister stressed the need to ensure that the proposed courses met appropriate academic and professional standards and equipped graduates with the competencies required for effective service delivery.

He commended Amu for her dedication to advancing the specialised fields, expressing confidence that collaboration among universities, professional bodies and regulatory agencies would accelerate the development of the programmes.

Alausa further assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would sustain reforms aimed at expanding access to relevant education, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting skills development in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the initiatives formed part of broader efforts to strengthen human capital development, address critical workforce shortages, and build a more responsive and inclusive higher education system capable of meeting Nigeria’s evolving needs.